Ellen Baker on sat 29 mar 97
Regarding this topic, generally: I was amazed that it was suggested at one
point (and I paraphrase) that Canadians, due to rustic exposure, tend to be
more moved by the beauty of nature than others [to the south?]... How
presumptuous! Shame! Tsk!
In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, "...but the tears on [her] cheek are
from laughter!"
Best regards, Ellen Baker - Glacier, WA
orion@telcomplus.com
M.-J. on mon 31 mar 97
On 29 Mar 97, I found these words from Ellen Baker in my mailbox:
> ----------------------------Original
> message---------------------------- Regarding this topic, generally:
> I was amazed that it was suggested at one point (and I paraphrase)
> that Canadians, due to rustic exposure, tend to be more moved by the
> beauty of nature than others [to the south?]... How presumptuous!
> Shame! Tsk!
>
> In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, "...but the tears on [her] cheek
> are from laughter!"
>
> Best regards, Ellen Baker - Glacier, WA
> orion@telcomplus.com
>
I had a meditation teacher once who used to say: Too much happiness
cries, too much sadness laughs.
Of course, since *I* live on these incredible coral islands in the
turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, I can appreciate nature just as
well as the Canadians. ;0
M.-J. Taylor
Although we cannot change the direction of the wind,
we can adjust our sails. (Unknown)
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Evan Dresel on tue 1 apr 97
At 09:03 AM 3-31-97 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>On 29 Mar 97, I found these words from Ellen Baker in my mailbox:
>
>> ----------------------------Original
>> message---------------------------- Regarding this topic, generally:
>> I was amazed that it was suggested at one point (and I paraphrase)
>> that Canadians, due to rustic exposure, tend to be more moved by the
>> beauty of nature than others [to the south?]... How presumptuous!
>> Shame! Tsk!
>>
>> In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, "...but the tears on [her] cheek
>> are from laughter!"
>>
>> Best regards, Ellen Baker - Glacier, WA
>> orion@telcomplus.com
>>
>
>I had a meditation teacher once who used to say: Too much happiness
>cries, too much sadness laughs.
>
>Of course, since *I* live on these incredible coral islands in the
>turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, I can appreciate nature just as
>well as the Canadians. ;0
>
>M.-J. Taylor
>
>
>Although we cannot change the direction of the wind,
> we can adjust our sails. (Unknown)
>
>
> |\ ( )
> _____________________________________________|_\_____________________
> ----- -_-_
> -- - -
>
Oh-Oh. I suppose all this is aimed at me. Well, as someone who's life
straddles the border, I assure you I in no way believe that Canadians
appreciate nature any more or less than Americans. One has only to look at
a Sierra Club calendar to see that natural beauty is valued in the US. I
realize I speak in generalizations, but that is what it seems to me was
asked for in Dan's original question. What I mean, and truly believe is
that as a generalization, the Canadian experience and relationship to nature
is different from Americans.
Look at it this way, I will never have the same relationship to coral
islands as someone who lives with them. I can visit, I can read Jimmy
Buffet's stories and listen to his music, but although I can appreciate them
and be moved by art inspired by them, they are in some ways beyond my
experience. Actually, I think the closest I can probably get to
understanding the deep appreciation of someone who lives there is through
any art they are generous enough to create and share.
So too with Canada. Is the idea that there is some sort of loose-fitting
garment as a Candadian national identity so threatening to Americans? Would
it be odd that art by Canadians reflects the differences in experience,
history, and social structures? Would it be worthwhile for some art
historian to consider if this is the case? Is it worth my talking about how
I perceive Canadian art and how it is different from my personal experience
of American art? Well it's worth it to me. It was worth it just because I
just took the time to leaf through my book on the McMichael Canadian Collection.
Ok we are a long way from ceramics. But if I make a pot that captures my
experience exploring for minerals in the Territories...
-- Evan Dresel in Eastern Washington where the wildflowers are starting
their brief display and the green cheat grass shoots up a hollow
promise of forage.
pedresel@revolution.3-cities.com
"Ah for just one time, I would take the Northwest Passage
To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beauford Sea"
-- Stan Rogers
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